Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido will conduct two forums early in the school year to help students and others in school communities to be informed, prepared and collaborative to maintain a safe learning environment.
Lucido and Assistant Macomb Prosecutor Tonya Goetz, chief of the juvenile unit, will discuss a variety of topics at “STRAIGHT TALK: Teens, School Safety and the Law,” a community forum focused on school safety, youth accountability and violence prevention on Oct. 1 and 8 at Macomb Community College’s Center and South campuses, according to a press release form Lucido. The events are free and open to the public.
“Every student deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and supported,” Lucido said in the release. “The start of a new school year is the perfect time for our community to come together and discuss how we can prevent problems before they occur. By working together, communicating openly, and understanding the consequences of dangerous behavior, we can help ensure our schools remain safe places to learn and grow.”
School threats and violence nationally and locally have increased over the recent years. During the 2024-25 school year, there were 2.058 threats and 490 incidents nationally, according to the Educator’s School Safety Network.
Most recently in Macomb County, the June 2 Clintondale High School prom at Blossom Heath Inn in St. Clair Shores was cancelled about an hour before it was to start after authorities received a tip indicating a student could have brought a firearm to the event. And on May 4, New Haven Community Schools closed all of its buildings due to a threat made in a voicemail to the high school that was heard that Monday morning.
MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO
Lucido said topics to be discussed by him and Goetz include:
— The legal consequences students may face for making threats of violence, bringing weapons to school, bullying or engaging in other criminal conduct, including acts students may consider innocent such as sexting and sharing explicit images.
— The critical role parents and guardians play in talking with their children about expectations of responsible decision-making.
— Resources available to students and families, including anonymous reporting through OK2SAY and mental health services available in Macomb County.
— The Prosecutor’s Office’s school outreach program, which provides presentations to middle and high school students highlighting the real-life consequences of unlawful behavior and encouraging positive choices.
Each forum will conclude with a half-hour session for attendees to ask Lucido, Goetz and law enforcement questions.
The events will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 and 8. The Oct. 1 event will be held at University Center 1, Lecture Hall A, Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Rd., Clinton Township, 48038. Register at forms.cloud.microsoft/g/gs7tCrMpqs. The Oct. 8 forum will take place at South Campus, K Building – John Lewis Center, Room 301, 14500 E. 12 Mile, Warren, MI 48088. Register at forms.cloud.microsoft/g/pkhVEBeB7X.
Schools or other organizations interested in scheduling a school-safety presentation for middle or high school students should contact the Prosecutor’s Office Outreach Coordinator Heather Esposito at (586) 469-5642 or heather.esposito@macombgov.org.
